How to Make Condensed Milk

Evaporated Milk vs. Condensed Milk

Evaporated milk is simply whole milk simmered down to about 40% of its content, with around 60% of the water evaporating. The final product is thicker than the regular milk but is unsweetened. The more intense milk flavor with no extra water makes it perfect for savory dishes like Southern Baked Mac and Cheese.

Condensed milk, on the other hand, has sugar to sweeten it. While simmered down just like evaporated milk, the added sugar makes it perfect for desserts and sweet drinks. Sweetened condensed milk is excellent for condensed milk cake and beverages, like Brazilian lemonade.

What You’ll Need

I’m giving you three ways to make sweetened condensed milk: the original method and a couple of shortcuts.

1. Milk – The higher the fat content of whole milk delivers creamier results. However, you can use low-fat if you’re watching your diet. Evaporated and powdered milk provide a shortcut for methods 2 and 3 because you don’t have to reduce the water content.
2. Sugar – Granulated sugar sweetens it up and helps thicken it as well. It also caramelizes better than brown sugar if you want a shortcut to making dulce de leche.
3. Butter – Unsalted butter adds more fat for that extra-special mouthfeel.
4. Vanilla Extract – This optional ingredient adds aroma and creaminess. Homemade vanilla extract is cheaper and (IMO) better.

How to Make Condensed Milk

First: Whole Milk Method

• Mix the whole milk and sugar in a medium saucepan.
• Boil: Place saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat and let it simmer without stirring until it reduces and becomes thick and creamy (about 40 minutes).
• Whisk: Take the milk off the heat and whisk in the vanilla extract and butter.
• Chill: Let the mixture cool completely. Remove any sugar that crystallizes around the edges of the saucepan.
• Store: Transfer your sweetened condensed milk to a bowl or jar. Use immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to a week.

Second: Evaporated Milk

• Mix the evaporated milk and sugar in a medium saucepan.
• Boil: Place saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and let it simmer until the sugar dissolves and becomes creamy. Add the vanilla extract if desired.
• Chill: Let the mixture cool completely. Remove any sugar that crystallizes around the edges of the saucepan.
• Store: Transfer it to a bowl or jar. Use immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to a week.

Third: Powdered Milk Method

• Combine butter and water in a medium bowl. (Photo 1)
• Melt Butter: Microwave for about a minute, remove, and mix until melted. (Photo 2)
• Combine powdered milk and granulated sugar. (Photo 3)
• Blend: Pour into a blender, then add vanilla extract (if desired) and powdered milk a cup at a time (pulse after each addition). Continue until all the powdered milk has been added and the mixture is creamy.
• Store: Transfer your sweetened condensed milk to a bowl or jar. Use immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to a week.

Recipe Variations

1. Caramel and dulce de leche shortcut. Honestly, even though the microwave is the fastest, it’s not the best. Just pour the condensed milk into an oven-proof bowl, cover it with a lid or foil, and bake it for a couple of hours. The milk and sugar turn a gorgeous golden brown and thicken into a decadent sauce.
2. Alternative sweeteners. Agave, maple syrup, and honey are all paleo-friendly sweeteners for delicious homemade condensed milk.
3. Added flavors. Vanilla extract, almond extract, etc. enhance the flavor for an easy addition to coffee, tea, and chai. And it’s better for you than the commercially produced flavored coffee creamers.
4. Dairy-free sweetened condensed milk. Replace the powdered milk with powdered coconut milk and omit the butter for a sweet option.

Recipe Notes

1. Although there are a lot of artificial sweeteners out there, condensed milk is a different game. The added sugar dissolves in the mixture, making it sweeter. But since it dissolves, the sweetness becomes milky smooth rather than grainy, which is essential in some desserts.
2. Another reason to use condensed milk is its cohesive consistency. It acts as a binder for many ingredients because it’s naturally sticky. You can see it work its magic in coconut macaroons.
3. I love a strong black cup of coffee, but every now and then, this girl likes some sweetness! A spoonful or two of condensed milk is insanely good.

Easy Recipes Using Condensed Milk

The sugar caramelizes pretty quickly, making it great for sweet desserts or drinks. The smooth and creamy texture also helps the overall feel of the treat.

1. Condensed milk is essential in this delicious tres leches cake.
2. Make an extra batch of condensed milk and caramelize it for cuatro leches cake. The recipe asks for dulce de leche, but this stuff will work fine.
3. Sweeten a super easy flan recipe or make a delicious coquito (Puerto Rican eggnog), even if it isn’t a holiday.

More Homemade Milk Recipes to Try

1. How to Make Evaporated Milk
2. How to Make Buttermilk
3. Homemade Coconut Milk
4. Crème Anglaise

Watch How to Make It

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”zBvuuv51″ upload-date=”2021-05-13T12:01:56.000Z” name=”HOW TO MAKE CONDENSED MILK EDITED.mp4″ description=”Mastering how to make condensed milk is easier than it sounds and faster than you think. Achieving smooth homemade decadence is so easy breezy that you wouldn’t think about buying canned milk again. You’ll be making sweet desserts and beverages in no time at all using any of these THREE simple methods!” player-type=”static”]

This blog post was originally published in May 2021 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video